On Drummer’s Call weekend we took opportunity to attend the Playbooth Theater’s Liberty Takes the Stage.
1716 FIRST THEATER IN ENGLISH AMERICA
After my shocking experience with a book yesterday, I grabbed this shot of the first theater in English America in 1716!
The actors we see perform at the Playbooth Theater today in Colonial Williamsburg interpret the traveling acting troupes referenced in the signage.
MY QUERY ON THEATER IN 1750
Before the performances began, one of the actors gave an introduction, then asked if there were any queries.
Shooting my hand up, I asked if the colonies as a whole enjoyed theater by 1750.
Before addressing my question, he stated that part of their job was not only to act and interpret but also to deeply research their topics.
{{{Exactly why I love them so much! 😉}}}
After rattling off various details, he returned to my query and said, “So you want to know about theater in 1750?’
Smiling really big, I enthusiastically nodded my head yes.
He asked me if I was working on my dissertation.
Laughing, I assured him I was not!
“Good,” he stated.
{{{I have no idea why he seemed nervous, but he is always wonderful and again did an excellent job of answering my question.}}}
1750 COLONIAL THEATER HISTORY
For the record, he said there were some small theaters in a few of the colonies, like New York and Charleston before 1750, and of course, Williamsburg.
However, the first professional actors from London first arrived in the colonies in 1752, traveling from city to city while performing popular London plays.
BRITISH ARMY ENJOYED THEATER DURING AMERICAN REVOLUTION
The actor continued that during the American Revolution, the British occupied cities of New York and Philadelphia flourished in culture.
While the Continentals suffered with little food, supplies, and clothing, the British lived well in warm, comfortable houses in the city, while importing the best entertainments, including theater.
MERCANTILISM OF THEATER
He also tagged on to the mercantilism research at CW my kids and I did earlier in the month, by adding that everything in the colonies came by or through Britain, even theater.
VIRGINIA WAS THE MOST BRITISH OF THE COLONIES
{{{These quotes were discovered in research when I returned home, that summarize what the actor and tailor told me and the kids.}}}
That the drama should have taken root in Virginia earlier than anywhere else in America is not surprising. The Virginians, a…pleasure-loving people, had nothing in common with the more sober Puritans of New England. “They were,” says Bancroft, “a continuation of English society, who were attached to the monarchy, with a deep reverence for the English church, and a love for England and English institutions.” Descendants of the old cavaliers, their philosophy was to enjoy life while they could, rather than spend their days making gloomy preparations for death. Far from having prejudices against play-acting, they welcomed the thespian with open arms. -History of Theatre in America, Arthur Hornblow, 1919.
Williamsburg about that period was the most aristocratic and prosperous town on the continent. It was the seat of the Upper House and the House of Burgesses and the governor’s official residence. The Law Courts were there; and the public buildings, chief of which was the College, were as fine as any in England. The women dressed fashionably and most of the leading families kept their coach. The shops were stocked with rich merchandise and it was the custom of the wealthy plantation owners and country gentry to run into the town for their shopping and amusements. -History of Theatre in America, Arthur Hornblow, 1919.
PLAYBOOTH THEATER INTERPRETS 18TH CENTURY ENTERTAINMENT
After the actor concluded the Q&A, which I thought was fabulous, the Playbooth Theater actors greatly entertained us with scenes from some of the same plays that would have been enjoyed by an 18th century colonist in Williamsburg, while wearing beautiful attire!
MY KIDS TELL THE ACTOR ABOUT OUR HOMESCHOOL BOOK
After the fun skits, my kids told the actor about the homeschool history book recommended to us for high school studies of the American Revolution, that told us that 1750 colonists considered culture frivolous.
In shock, he exclaimed in most proper Virginian form, “Burn that book!”
17TH CENTURY THEATER AND DANCE IN VIRGINIA
Then he enthusiastically gave us more details, then highly recommended a much better book.
Additionally, he added that the first documented account of theater in Virginia was 1665!
Furthermore, in the 1670’s, dance manuals were printed so that the Virginians could practice their dance steps (or they will die).
In fact, there were traveling dance tutors who journeyed from town to town to teach dancing lessons (or they would die).
VIRGINIANS MUST DANCE OR THEY WILL DIE
Across the Palace Green from us was the townhouse of Robert Carter III, which is documented as far back as 1745, when it was owned by Charles Carter, a relative.
Undergoing several ownerships, by 1761 Robert Carter III purchased the house, and moved his family there for eleven years, while he served on the governor’s Council.
Moving his family in 1772 to the family estate of Nomini Hall in the Nothern Neck, Robert Carter III continued ownership of this townhouse.
{{{My photo below only shows a portion of this massively gorgeous property!}}}
At Nomini Hall, Carter hired a young graduate of the College of New Jersey (later to be named Princeton), to tutor his children.
In his 1774 journal of his year as tutor, Philip Vickers Fithian wrote: Virginians are of genuine Blood. They will dance or die!
EPILOGUE
When I came home I pursued some research the actor suggested, which led me to fascinating details about the history of 18th century America, written by Arthur Hornblow and originally published in A History of the Theatre in America, Vol. 1. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Company, 1919. pp. 21-40.
In 1732 New York, Commerce thrived, stately ships left its docks for all ports of the world, beautiful homes rose on each side of “Hudson’s River”…the predominating tastes were English and French. There were weekly evening clubs and in the winter balls and concerts under the patronage of the new governor. -History of Theatre in America, Arthur Hornblow, 1919.
In 1714 Massachusetts, one of the justices complained against the acting of a play in the Council Chamber of Boston, affirming that even the Romans, fond as they were of plays, were not “so far set upon them as to turn their Senate House into a Playhouse.” “Let not Christian Boston,” he continues, “goe beyond Heathen Rome in the practice of Shamefull vanities.” -History of Theatre in America, Arthur Hornblow, 1919.
Of early 18th century Boston it was described:
There was a great hall ornamented with pictures and a great lantern and a velvet cushion in the window-seat that looked into the garden. In the hall was placed a large bowl of punch from which visitors might help themselves as they entered. On either side was a large parlor, a little parlor or a study. These were furnished with mirrors, oriental rugs, window curtains and valance, pictures, a brass clock, red leather back chair, and a pair of huge brass andirons. The bedrooms were well supplied with feather beds, warming pans, and every other article that would now be thought necessary for comfort or display. The pantry was well filled with substantial fare and delicacies. Silver tankards, wine cups and other articles were not uncommon…Even before this period in the matter of dress certain of the ladies were eager to copy the London and Paris fashions… -History of Theatre in America, Arthur Hornblow, 1919.
